UCLA vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Chapman University in Orange, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Los Angeles is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; Chapman University 12:1.

UCLA vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA or Chapman? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Los Angeles than Chapman ($14,512 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 3% lower than at University of California Los Angeles ($17,814 vs. $18,369).
• Chapman University is 327.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $49,781 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at Chapman than at University of California Los Angeles (about $15,581 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of California Los Angeles (88% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 38.3% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($35,434 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA or Chapman? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Chapman and UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 70 points higher than at Chapman (1350).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Chapman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Chapman - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

UCLA vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA and Chapman? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $4,638 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($16,300 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($168 vs. $216).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.